Fourdrinier machine



Oct. 27, 1942. H H, HART FORDRINIER MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Oct. 12, '1959 Oct. 27, 1942. H. H. HART I FOURDRINIER MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 27, 1942. H. H. HART FOURDR'INIER MACHINE yFiled opt. 12, 19:59

5 Sheets-Sheet AN ww.

WN wlw), .f NNI `NN 06f; 27, 1942. H 'H HART 4 FOURDRINIER MACHINE A Filedoct. 12, 19:59 5 sheets-sheet 4 WNS. e 4 A Oct. 27, 1942. H. H. HART FOURDRINIER MACHINE Filed oct. 12, 1939 -5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ..A A. SN

I1 l@ ma LIU. 1 om um \/n/ei om l- .uw "n WE. l n@ @T3 QS R.; E m L N w. 4 Ami XMMS l Y. l mln@ ,.I.I.. a s. ane@ ,e 6%@ NN imN O@ Patented Oct. 27, 1942 FOURDRINIER MACHINE Harry Il. Hart, Kennett Square, Pa., assignor to The Pusey and Jones Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application October 12, 1939, Serial No. 299,195

21 Claims.4

This invention relates to a Fourdrinier paper machine and more particularly to apparatus associated with that type of machine for replacing the endless wire screen which passes around the table structure, the breast roll, the couch roll, etc.

In the past, various devices have been designed to accomplish the removal and application of the endless wire screen, which structures served the purpose of the day very Well. However, as the paper making machines were increased in size and speed, these wire changing devices were unable to economically perform their required function. The present invention was, therefore, made to `provide an apparatus designed to accomplish the rapid changing of the endless wire forming screens on' large machines in particular, but it may also be used on smaller sizes of Fourdrinier machines.

g Certain of the prior art machines having supporting means for the table section which perm'it lateral movement of. the wire with respect to the table, accomplish the replacement of the wire by providing a movable support under one side of the table. In accordance with all these teachings, however, additional xed supports are required on the Vside cooperating with the movable support to maintain the table section during operation, necessitating the lifting of the table to remove the ilxed4 support before the wire may be replaced. The present invention utilizes the principle of the movable support and is an improvement on this type of table supporting means.

It is, therefore, they particular object oii this invention to provide means to permit a rapid replacement of the endless wire forming screens used on relatively Wide Fourdrinier machines.

Another important object is to provide an apparatus which forms a support for a portion of a Fourdrinier machine comprising a movable support for the front side of the table section of the machine, the movablesupport having removable vide a movable carriage supporting structure forA the front side of a Fourdrinier machine which has a catwalk integral therewith, from which the wire screen may safely beinspected at all times. '55

Another object is to provide an apparatus,

adapted to effect the replacement of an endless wire` forming screenA Without necessitating the removal of any of the driving means suction pipes, shower pipes, or other necessary operating connectionsV required to be made with elements enclosed within the wire loop.

Other objects accomplished by the present invention will appear more fully below.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a Fourdrinier structure embodying the present invention, the usual flow box, deckle straps, pick up felts, etc., not being shown.

Figure 2 is a plan view partly broken away, of the Fourdrinier table section shown in Figure l showing an endless wire forming screen draped in the tending aisle over the movable carriage support.

Figure 3 is a sectional end view of the front side supporting carriage shown in its laterally extended position in the tending aisle, looking from thev couch end of the machine toward the breast end.

Figure 4 is a sectional end view as in Figure 3 showing the movable carriage in its innermost or normal position with the forming wire in place over the Fourdrinier table section.

Figure 5 is an enlarged end view of the movable carriage structure as seen in Figures 3 and 4.A

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6 6 of Figure 5 showing. the lateral driving means for the carriage structure,

Figure 'l is a sectional view taken on line 1 1 of Figure 5 showing the guide bearing rollers for the carriage drive,

Figure 8 is a detail view of the vbreast roll mounting structure,

Figure 9 is a detail View of the Wire screen supporting bracket carried by the carriage at the couch end of the machine,

4Figure 10 is a detail view of the supporting -means for certain of the poles over which the forming wire is draped,

f Figure 1l is a sectional view of `the rear supporting means for the wire supporting poles which coact with the table rolls,

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of the couch roll mounting looking toward the couch roll from the breast end of the table section, Figure V13 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing a modied frame support wherein the invention is adapted to a variable pitch Four drinier,

Figure 14 is a detailed side elevation of the pivv otal supporting means for the front end of the frame, and

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on line 15--15 of Figure 13 showing one pair of the lifting jacks.

The invention herein shown is adapted to be associated with any Fourdrinier paper machine of fixed or variable pitch and in the form shown in Figure 1, a breast roll i6 is movably mounted on a table frame Il in such a manner that it may be raised from the inoperative position shown in full lines in Figure 1 to the dotted line or operative position by actuation of driving means which will be more particularly described belowTheftableiramenhas table rolls i2 mounted thereon in any suitable manner. such that if desirable they may be shaken independently of the breast roll. The usual suction boxes i3 and guide roll I4 are also supported from the table frame in any well known manner. A couch roll.

I5 is mounted at the end of the table frame section and in the present embodiment of the invention, it is independently mounted in a cantilever type supporting means. The driving and other operative connections (not shown) for all the usual elements supported on the table section, including a shake mechanism, suction pipes, shower pipes etc., are all built into the rear side of the machine or the side opposite from the usual tending aisle which extends longitudinally along the front side of the table section.

An endless wire4 forming screen I6 is adapted to pass completely around the breast roll, table frame and parts supported therefrom and the couch roll, the invention herein disclosed being directed to a means whereby the'endless wire may be replaced from the front side of the machine, and to eect this purpose it is designed to carry the screen on a unitary supporting means.

It is evident that the endless wire screen, to be placed in operative position over the elements contained within the wire loop, must be moved laterally with respect -to the table section and its associated parts. In order to accomplish this movement, one of the side supports' of the table section of rthe machine must be designed to permit passage of the lower run of the wire therethrough and in this invention a movable side support is provided which is adapted to 4carry the wire into proper position for tensioning it from the breast roll to the couch roll.

26 to the track. In this manner, any possibility lof' an objectionable/bump forming at this point is eliminated. The beam 2i will swing on hinge 22 from a position in lengthwise alignment with beam 2li to a position at right angles thereto, as shown in Figure 2, in order to cover and uncover the'recess formed in beam 20.

The beam 2li is provided at its ends with ground-engaging carriage rollers 25 which coopcrate with suitable tracks in the foundations of the machine and are designed to carry the full weight of the load transmitted to beam by the table frame. The underside of the beam 22 is provided with a rack 26 which cooperates with a driven pinion gear 21, as best shown in Figure 5. The gear 21 is pinned to a shaft 28 driven by any suitable means 29,/the shaft 28 having bearings in a housing 30 supported on the foundation of the machine. On opposite sides of the rack 26, bearing surfaces 3i are formed which ride upon the spaced freely rotatable rollers 32 mounted in housing 30 in order that the rack will not bear too heavily onto the pinion 21 as the movable support is driven laterally during the screen replacing operation. A stop 33, Figure 5, may be carried by housing on its rear side which cooperates with the rear Y carriage roller support to limit lateral movement 'I'he table frame Il, as shown in Figure 2, has

a plurality of ixed supports or pedestals l1 which support it at its back side and a movable support for the' front side of the machine. The movable support is shown in Figure 3 and include's a heavy beam structure 20 which is adapted to carry the full load of one side of the table section of the Fourdrinier at all times. The beam 20 is provided with a recess in its upper face and a swinging track member 2| is pivotally mounted on the beam by the hinge 22 to move horizontally into and out of the recess. The upper edge of track 2| is flush with the upper surface of beam 20 and the front side offthe machine is supported from the beam by means of rollers 23 xed to the front table frame member Il. The free end of the vtrack may be cut on an angle as at 24, Figure 2, which corresponds to the angle of the seat 2|' in beam 26 that it engages, and in which thefree end is supported, in order that the line of contact between the track and seat will pass under rollers 23 with a relatively gradual transfer of load from beam of beam 2li into the tending aisle.

'Ihe beams 2li are preferably the permanent and only supports for the front side of the table section and the beam shown in Figure 4 is in its innermost. position. As there represented, the rollers 23 carried by the front table frame member Il eng-age the upper surface of the beam 20 and track 2l at hinge 22 to transmit the load through the carriage roller 25 at the front end of beam 20, to the foundation of the machine. In certain instances a iixed support may be used in conjunction with the carriage to support the front side. As shown in Figure 4, the opposite end of the beam 20 passes under the rear frame Il but has no engagement therewith, and the pedestals i1 which support the rear frame member Il are spaced so as not to interfere with the movement of the beams 20.

As above explained, the beam 20 is adapted to be driven into the tending aisle running along the front side of the machine, by means of the pinion 21 engaging rack 26. As the beam 2li is driven from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 3, the rollers 22 xed to the front frame member il ride longitudinally along beam 2|; The transferring of the load along this. track may cause beam 20 to flex somewhat and in order to prevent the rack 26 on the bottom thereof from riding too heavily on pinion 21 because of such flexure, bearing rollers 32 above described are provided. When the fully extended position is reached, the rollers 23 will pass o.' of the track 2| and onto the surface 35 formed on the rear upper surface of -beam 20, at which point the full weight of the front table frame section H is `transmitted through beam 26 to the rear carriage roller 25, supported on the foundation of the machine.

Several of these movable front frame supporting members may be provided, and as shown in Figure 2, two such units are here shown. The several units` are integrally united to form a unitary structure, and at the rear side of the machine a rigid connecting element 36 is shown and on the front side a similar connecting element 31 isprovided. The connector bars and beams 2| thus form a unitary structure which is rigid both longitudinally and transversely of the machine. appropriately shaped to pass freely under the machine as the rails 20 and the associated unitary carriage structure are moved laterally of the table, and in Figure 1, a bend 36 is formed midway of its length to pass under the guide roll 39. It is seen that with this construction, a rigid movable structure cooperates with the front frame member I I at spaced points longitudinally thereof to carry the front side of the table section as above explained.

The unitary carriage structure above described for supporting the front side of the table section carries the brackets 45 and 46 at the couch end of the machine and brackets 41 and 46 at the breast end of the machine. These brackets are provided with suitable pole-supporting means, ,such as those disclosed in Figure 10 wherein the pole 49 is shown inserted between the laterally displaced rollers 50 and 5I on the front support, the rear end of the pole being Acarried by a suitable support 52. This type of draping pole support is well known and by reason of the displacement of the rollers, prevents the pole dropping onto the wire and possibly marring it as the pole is being removed.

The couch brackets 45 and 46 each carry upwardly extending arms 55 and 56, respectively, which are adapted to substantially encircle the periphery of the couch roll and have releasable hinge members 51 at their outer ends, which engage and carry one ofthe poles 49 about which the forming wire is draped during ther replacement process. The bracket 45 extends forwardly around the lower periphery of the couch roll and also realeasably carries a pole 49 in the U-shaped carrier 58, the pole being held in place by pin 59 to carry the draped wire. 'I'he arm 45 carries a pair of laterally displaced rolls 59 and like those disclosed in Figure 10, the rear arm 56 having a support 52 to carry the rear end of a rc.d,49 during the act of replacing the Wire, these rollers and support beingassociated with the bracket at the couch end to permit rods 49 carried by the ends of arms 55 and 56 and 45 and 46 to be removed. When the wire screen is ready to be deposited on the structure enclosed within the endless loop, these poles are released from the ends of the brackets 45 and 46 and arms 55' and 56 and are lifted around the couch roll to be deposited one at a time on roller 5I and support 52 from where they are Withdrawn laterally into the tending aisle withoutl end of the bracket arm 41 releasably engages a rod 49 as shown in Figure 1. The rod carried by the upper ends of the breast brackets, when The rear connector bar 36 must bel CII ported in a downwardly extending position from connecting bar 31 to support the rods 49 disposed at spaced points along the lower run of the forming wire. Corresponding supports 52 are mounted on the rear connecting bar 36 to cooperate with the roller elements.

The rods 62 are removably mounted at their front ends in U-shaped supporting elements 63 secured to the upper ends of the standards 6I and are adapted to slidably engage the table rollers and suction boxes at their rear ends. In Figure 11, the rear ends of the rods 62 are shown and they have appropriately shaped feet 64 which engage between two table rollers I2 to guide the sliding of the rod as it moves laterally of the table rolls with the unitary carriage structure upon which it is xedly mounted. In Figures 3 and 4, the rods 62 are shown provided with two sets of feet 64 at their rear ends, so that when the carriage is driven to its innermost position as shown in Figure 4, the rod will be properly supported as its rear'end moves in-r wardly past the rear ends of the table rolls. The two sets of feet are required in this showing of the invention only because the lateral move-A ment of the movable carriage support is greater than the length of the rolls and suction boxes upon which the rear ends of rods 62 ride.

The front side of the carriage structure .has a suitable catwalk 66 mounted thereon, the catwalk `being movable with the carriage as a unit. This walkway is particularly provided to be used during the draping of the wire screen but is a very useful adjunct at all times because the paper web forming section ofthe machine may be inspected from it vduring operation. It is to beA noted that the catwalk is always available for use and need never be dismantled neither during operation of the machine nor during the wire replacing process.

The breast rollo'f the machine is mounted from the table frame members II on pivoted remover arms 1D at the front and rear side of the machine, the remover arms serving to carry the breast roll I0 from its operative position shown in dottedlines in Figure 1 to the inoperative position shown in full lines. The purpose of this Y is to provide a suitable amount of slack to permitl withdrawal of the breast roll from operative to inoperative position, and vice versa; is shown in Figure 8, wherein a motor 1I is provided to drivfe a worm' gear speed reducing mechanism which drives shaft 12. kA pinion is fixed to the end of shaft 12 and meshes with a large spur gear 13 i mounted on a cross shaft 14 which has a rotatreleased, is deposited on roller 5Iv and vsupport 52 carried atl this end to be removed from withinV able bearing in the ends of both table frame members II adjacent the breast end. The cross shaft 14 extends entirely across the breast end of the machine and has pinions 15 keyed to its outer ends, each meshing ywith a sector gear 1liy fixed to itscorresponding sector shaft 11. The. sector shafts are mounted in aligned relation in bearings on the side frame members II and the remover arms 19 are rigidly mounted on sector shafts 1'1,

. rolls.

has bearings for normally supporting the weight of the couch roll on pedestals 8| and t2. One end of the shaft 80 is extended toward the rear of the machine and has a bearing in a pedestal 83 and the extended end of the shaft may be pro vided with conventional driving means (not shown). 'Ihe rearmost end of the shaft 8|l may be loaded with a downward force by any suitable means, such as the threaded member 8G associ ated with pedestal 83 so that the load on the shaft isdstributed about bearing 8| as a fulcrum point whereby the entire weight of the couch roll is supported by pedestals 8| and 83. In this circumstance, the pedestal supporting the front end of the shaft 80 carries no load and the removable block 85 therein may be displaced from between pedestal 82 and the foundation of the machine, thus forming a gap 8S in the front support through which the endless wire screen may be moved over the couch roll. It is evident, of course, that during normal use of the machine, the block 85 is inserted in the gap 8B and the weight of the couch roll is released from pedestal 83, so that the bearings 8| and 82 may carry the full weight of the couch roll and maintain it in properly aligned position at all times.

In the operation of this Fourdrinier machine, the wire normally passes over the breast roll, table section, and couch roll, as shown in the dot and dash line of Figure 1, to receive the `wet pulp and transform it into a web of fibres, the lower run of wire passing around the`usual take-up The rails 2| of the movable carriage, at this time, are swung into parallelism with connector bars 36 and 31 to remove them from over the lower run of the wire while it is stretched taut around the enclosed structure so that there will be no possibility of injuring the Wire by its scraping the underside of the rails.

` When a forming wire is to be replaced, the old wire is removed from the machine, the rails 2| are swung into alignment with beams 20, and the movable carriage support is driven into the front tending aisle. After the carriage has reached the position shown in Figure 3, the rails 2| are turned about hinges 22 until they are approximately parallel with the frontV connector bar 31 as shown in Figure 2 and a roll of wire screen is mounted in the bracket 90 supported from traveling crane 9|.

'I'he forming screen is supported in the bracket 90 in a well known `manner on the two rods upon which the new endless wire screens are shipped from the factories, and is unwound sufiiciently to permit a number of the rods 49 and 62 to be placed within the loop and carried by the bracket 90. The roll is then slowly unwound and draped about supporting rods 49 and 62 which are removed from the bracket and disposed at spaced points along the length of the carriage. Ay pair of rods 49 are fixed to the couch roll brackets to stretch the screen around the ,couch roll, and as the crane is drawn toward the breast end, the other rods,49 and 52 are placed in position to support the wire from the carriage. As the wire roll is drawn longitudinally over the carriage in the tending aisle, the lower run of the loop will fall into the recesses provided in the beams and when the crane 9| reaches the breast end of its track 92, rods 49 are placed in the breast end brackets and the wire is fully draped.

It is to be understood that with the present sacarse wound and draped in the tending aisle on a singie unitary structure before it is applied and it may therefore beworked from either end to e'ect the draping process.

The wire screen being fully unwound and stretched around the supporting rods 49 and 62, it will assume the full line position shown in Figure 1. The rails are then swung from the position shown in Figure 2 to closed position along beam 20 and the carriage' is ready to be moved inwardly to carry the wire around the structure normally enclosed within the loop. The rails 2i in closed position overlay the wire, see Figure'5, the lower run of the wire loop being disposed between beam 20 and pivoted track 2|, as shown by the dot and dash line. The carriage is then driven laterally. The rolls 23, carrying the table frame il, are completely separated from the wire by this construction and the forming screen is carried as a unit with the movable carriage support over the structure it encloses, without any possible danger of marring its delicate structure.

When the innermost position of the carriage is reached, the various elements are arranged as shown in Figure 4. The endless wire forming screen is thus positioned in operative alignment with the operating parts it encloses. The poles i9 and 62 about which the screen is draped are carefully withdrawn from within the loop and the wire is deposited on the table section. The breast roll is then driven to operative position, the front couch supporting pedestal 82 is 'arranged for normal operation, and the screen is tensioned around the table' section by the usual take up rolls which act upon the lower run of the wire. The deckel strap, flow box, and pick up felts are brought into proper position and the Fourdrinier is again ready to function.

The invention is readily adapted to a variable pitch type of Fourdrinier and in Figure 13 a suggested structure to accomplish this is shown. /In this embodiment of the invention, the main frame |00 which has the usual breast roll I0,

table rolls I2, suction boxes I3, guide roll Il,

and couch roll I5 associated therewith, has a horizontal pivotal support' which may be and preferably is located at the front and rear sides of the breast end of the machine. The frame may be swung about this pivotal bearing to vary the pitch of the forming table section mounted on the frame and the pivotal mounting includes bearings |0| mounted on the frame which bearings, ride upon a horizontal bearing shaft |02 that is carried by a pair of pedestals |03 disposed on each side of the machine at the breast end. When the machine is adjusted to its maximum pitch, the front side of the frame |00 is carried on the removable under support previously described, this carriage being modified only to the extent necessary to adapt beams 20 to the changed condition of the frame being slanted with respect-to the level floor. The breast end supporting beam 20 of the removable carriage must therefore, be taller than the beam disposed adjacent the couch end, however, the beams are otherwise exactly like those used on a Fourdrinier having a fixed pitch and the whole carriage A structure functions as above described to effect Wire handling construction. the wire may be a replacement of the wire screen.

The rear side of frame |00 is maintained by any suitable stationary supports when adjusted to its maximum pitch and a plurality of xed supports I1 may be provided. The frame is then supported front and rear on the carriage and fixed supports respectively and bearing shaft |02 may be easily withdrawn from between bearings I and pedestals |03.

The front pedestal |03 is. hingedly mounted at |04 on a suitable base and may be swung to the position shown in Figure 13 after the shaft |02 has been removed. The pedestal is normally maintained in an upright position to support shaft |02 but may be pivoted about hinge |04 to remove it from the path of brackets 41 and 48 mounted on the breast end of the carriage which carry the draped wire laterally into position over the breast roll with the unitary carriage structure.

If the pitch of the table section is to be reduced, the front pedestal |03 is placed in its normal position and. locked by a suitable bolt |05 and shaft |02 is inserted between bearings |0| and pedestals |03. Suitable jacks are then operated to lift the frame |00 off the undercarriage beams 20 and fixed supports I1, the table pivoting about shaft |02 as a center until gage |06 located at the couch end indicates that the desired pitch has been attained. In thev present disclosure two pairs of screw jacks |01 and |08 are shown, the four jacks being placed in pairs to cooperate with the frame |00 at spaced points along the front and rear sides. Each .of the jacks includes a screw member which may be driven upward to engage a suitable bearing pad |09 fixed to the underside of frame |00 and the driven member is adapted to be spaced from the pad when in fully retracted position, a distance sufficient to permit connector bars 36 and 31 of the carriage to pass therebe.

tween. The screw members are designed to be driven fr om shaft 28 against pad |09 or in any other well known manner to lift the frame I|00 to vary the pitch and it is obvious that the jacks closer to the pivot must be adapted to lift through a shorter range than the jacks nearer the couch end due to their` disposition at spaced points along the frame which is really a radius arm.

In the operation of the variable pitchmachine, during a run at a reduced pitch, the frame is supported on the bearing shaft 02 and the two pairs of jacks |01 and |00 and the pitch may be further varied as above explained by lifting the frame-on the jacks so that the frame will pivot about shaft |02.

When a wire screen is to be replaced, the frame is lowered onto beams 20 of the undercarriage and'xed supports I1 at the rear and'shaft |02 may then be withdrawn from between bearings |0| and pedestals |03 so that the front pedestal may be removed to permit lateral movement of the undercarriage. After the screw members of i 4 the jacks have. been fully retracted and the couch Y roll and breast roll arranged for a change of wire,

the carriageisdriven laterally into the tending aisle and the 4wire change is accomplished as above described.

It is toV be understood that the usual driving,

larger machines becomes increasingly unwieldly" as the size increases and as the' .wire must be stretched somewhat over the draping poles, any structure which renders the stretching more easily accomplished is particularly desirable. In the design of a variable pitch machine of large capacity `the breast end is somewhat higher than the couch end and it is diflcult for men to climb upon the machine to unwrap the wire and distribute it carefully over the draping poles.

The structure herein described permits the wire to be draped from either the couch or breast end and therefore is particularly suitable for large variable pitch machines. The wire may be unwound starting at the high breast end and the workmen will have only a very short portion of the wire to manipulate so that it may be easily draped. As the wire is worinzcltoward the couch roll, the men work towardfa lower level until a stage is reached where other workmen may more conveniently aid in the draping process. It is to be borne in mind also that the wire is very heavy and being draped over `the poles in a downwardly slanting direction, the weight of the wire itself tends to stretch it thus lessening the effort required to spread it over the draping poles.

'I'he structure herein described provides a single unitary carriage means -upon which the forming wire is draped so that during lateral movement4 .The brackets supporting the wire at the couch end and breast end and, their respective poles, the standards 6| and poles 62, and poles 49 supported from the connector bars 36 and 31, are all xedly mounted with respect to each other whereby when the carriage is moved, the whole wire supporting structure is carried with it, so that a rigid unitary wire replacing structure is provided which carries the whole wire screen over the enclosed structure;

During the forming wire replacing process above described, of course, the breast roll is carried by the table frame in inoperative position as shown in full lines'in Figures 1 and l5 and the couch roll is carried by pedestals 8|, and 83, the gap 86 being provided in the front pedestal 82. Inasmuch as the table section couch roll, suction boxes and table roll remain within their normal or operative positions at all times, their respec..

tiveconnections are permanent and being built` into the rear side of the fixed or variable pitch 'machines need not be disturbed during the wire replacing operation.

It is readily apparent that the present'invention may be used to remove a forming wire as well as carry a new one into place. howeventhe old wire will be cut and discarded, the movable support being required only to carry a new wire into place.

Many modifications of this machine may occur to those skilled in the art and therefore the embodiment herein described is not intended as a limitation, the invention being particularly pointed out inthe following claims.

I claim:

1. A Fourdrinier machine4 having an endless lwire forming screen and a structure normally enclosed within the wire loop, including a breast y roll, table section, and couch roll, comprising supports for the structure and means for applying the screen around said structure, said means inc cluding a unitary and longitudinally and transsaid unitary support and the loop draped thereon may be moved laterally to enclose the structure within the loop.

2. A wire screen replacing apparatus for a Fourdrinier paper making machine including a table section having a breast roll, table rolls, and

a couch roll associated therewith and an endless wire screen passing therearound comprising a iixed support on one side of the frame and a unitary and rigid movable support for the other therearound, comprising a xed support on the' rear side and a movable carriage support on the iront side of said section, said last named support maintaining the front side of said section during normal operation of the machine and being arranged for withdrawal laterally of the section, said movable support including a beam having a recess therein, a track member pivotally mounted on said beam to swing in said recess, a roller carried on said section cooperating with said beam and said track, said track serving to support said section as said carriage is moved laterally of the machine, means on said movable support about which the wire loop may be draped, said track being adapted to be turned out vof said recess when said carriage reaches fully extended position whereby the lower run of the wire loop draped about said means may fall into said recess, said track then being returned to its position within said recess so that the carriage may be returned to its normal position under said section while carrying the draped wire therewith.

4. A movable support for one side of the table section of a Fourdrinier machine comprising a rigid laterally movable structure having engagement with the underside of the table section at spaced points along the front edge thereof, said structure being adapted to cooperate with an endless wire screen to entirely support the same and to effect a replacement of said screen on the table section, means carried entirely by said structure upon which said screen is draped longitudinally along the front edge of the table section, said movable structure serving Vto carry the lower run of the draped screen into operative position as the wire screen is moved lateerally over the table section.

5. A Fourdrinier paper-making machine comprising a frame supporting a table section,l said section including a breast roll, table rolls,'and suction boxes; a couch roll having a cantilever support associated with said section, an endless wire adapted to pass around said section and saidcouch roll; a laterally removable carriage forming a support for one side of said frame and a iixed support on the other side thereof; said fixed support and said cantilever support being on the same side of the Fourdrinier machine; means on said carriage over which the upper and lower runs of said wire may be draped, said means being iixedly mounted with respect to said carriage to support the draped wire so that able as a unit inwardly to apply said wire over said section and couch roll.

6. A Fourdrinier machine having a table section including a breast roll, table rolls, suction heads, and a couch roll, and an endless wire forming screen to enclose the table section, comp prising supports for the table section including a laterally movable support for the front side thereof, means about which the upper and lower runs of the wire loop are draped, said last named means being carried by said movable support to carry the wire laterally with respect to the table section to eiect a replacement of the screen, bearing means carried by the table and cooperating with the breast roll, said bearing means in-` cluding arms supported from the table section and movable with respect thereto, said arms forming the permanent and only support for the breast roll during operation of the machine and serving to transport the roll from operative to inoperative position whereby the overall length of the table section is reduced so that the draped forming wire maybe moved laterally of the table section.

7. A Fourdrinier machine having a table section including a breast roll, table rolls, and a' couch roll, and an endless wire forming screen enclosing the table section, comprising supports for the table section including a laterally movable structure cooperating with `the front edge thereof, bearing means carried by the table section and cooperating with the breast roll, said bearing means including arms supported from the table section and movable with respect thereto, said arms forming the permanent and only support for the breast roll during operation of themachine and serving to transport it from operative to inoperative position, a front support for the couch roll adapted to permit lateral movement of the wire, screen therethrough, means carried by said movable structure upon which both the upper and lower runs of an endless wire screen may be draped for movement laterally of the table section when the breast roll is moved to inoperative position, said means including brackets to support the draped wire for movement laterally over the peripheries of the breast and couch rolls, whereby the forming screen may be replaced.

8. A support for the table section of a Fourdrinier machine including a movable structure having a beam adapted to support a portion of the table section, said beam being provided with a recess in its upper surface, and a track memhaving a beam adapted to support a portion of the table section, said beam `being provided with the carriage and wire supporting means are mova recess in its upper surface, and a track mem-Y ber 'pivotally mounted on said beam to swing in said recess,` means upon which said beam is mounted for movement, said beam being movable laterally with respect to the table section, said track member serving to support the table. section during the lateral movement, and a power driven member coacting with said beam to cause a Fourthe lateral movement thereof, said beam being adapted to carry the lower run of aiorming wire under the table section to eilect a replacement thereof.

said track member serving to support the table section during the lateral movement, a power driven member coacting with the underside of said beam to cause lateral movement thereof, and bearing means associated with said driven member and spaced closely adjacent thereto for engaging the underside of said beam to control the frictional engagement between the underside of said beam and said driven member, said beam being adapted to carry the lower run of a forming wire under the table section to eifect a replacement thereof. I

11. A variable pitch Fourdrinier machine having an endless wire forming screen and a structure normally enclosed within the wire loop, including a breast roll, table section, and couch roll, laterally movable means normallypositioned beneath the structure for supporting the structure at one angle of pitch, said means being also operative for applying the screen around the structure and including a longitudinally and transversely rigid and unitary wire support over which the entire loop is draped, said structure supporting means being adapted to permit relative lateral movement between the wirev loop and the structure whereby said unitary support and the loop draped thereon may be moved laterally to enclose the structure within the loop.

12. The combination with a machine of the Fourdrinier type having an endless forming screen, of means for supporting one side of said machine and a laterally movable support for the other side of said machine, said last named support-carrying means upon which both the upper and lower runs of the screen are draped, said movable support and said last named means comprising a rigid unitary screen supporting structure.

`13. The combination with `a machine of the Fourdrinier type having an endless forming screen, of means for supporting one side of said machine and a laterally movable support for the other side of said machine, said last named support carrying means upon which both the upper and lower runs of the screen are draped, said movable support and said last named means comprising a rigid unitary screen supporting structure, driving means including a pinion for said laterally movable support, a rack .on the underside of said movable support, said pinion coop- .erating with said rack, and a bearing roller closely spaced from said pinion and engaging the underside of said movable support to prevent too heavy an engagement between said rack and pinion as said support is driven laterally by said pinion.

14. A Fourdrlnier machine having a table section including a breast r ol1, table rolls and a couch roll, and an endlessvwire screen passing therearound, comprising a fixed supporton the rear side and a movable carriage support on the front side of saldsection, said last named support maintaining the front side of said section during normal operation of the machine and being movable laterally of the section, means cooperating with the underside of said support to drive it laterally, said movable support including a beam having a recess therein, a track member pivotally mounted on said beam to swing in said recess, a roller carried on said section cooperating with said beam and said track, said track servving to support said section as said carriage is moved laterally of the machine, a gear rack on the underside of said beam, said driving means including a driven pinion to engage said rack and bearing means closely spaced to said pinion and engaging the underside of said beam, means on said movable support about which the wire loop may be draped, said track being adapted to be turned out of said recess when said carriage reaches fully extended positionwhereby the lower run ofthe wire loop draped about said means Amay fall into said recess, said track then being returned to its position within said recess so that the carriage may be returned to its normal position under said section while carrying the draped wire therewith.

15. A Fourdrinier machine having a table secable laterally of the section, means cooperating with the underside of said support to drive it lathaving a recess therein, a track member pivotally mounted on said beam to swing in said recess, a roller carried on said section cooperating with said beam and said track, said track serving to support said `section as said carriage is moved laterally of the machine, a gear rack on the underside of said beam, said driving means including a driven pinion to engage said rack and bearing means closely spaced to said pinion and engaging the underside of said beam, means on said movable support about which the wire loop may be draped, said last named means and said movable support comprising a rigid and unitary screen supporting structure, said trackv being adapted to be turned out of said recess when said carriage reaches fully extended position whereby the lower run of the wireloop draped about said 'means may fall into said recess, said track then being returned to its position within said recess so that the carriage may be returned to its normal position under said section while carrying the draped wire therewith.

16. A support for the table section of a Fourdriner machine including a movable structure having a beam adapted to support a portion of the table section, said beam beingprovided with a recess innits upper surface, and a track member pivotally mounted von said beam to swing in said recess, means upon which said beam is mounted for movement, said beamV being movable laterally with respect to the table section, said track member serving to support the table section duringthe lateral movementand means carried by said movable structure upon which the entire screen -isdraped, said last named means and said movablev structure forming a rigid and unitary screen support.

17. A support for the table section of a Fourdrlnier machine including a movable structure having a beam adapted to support a portion of the table section, said beam being provided with a recess in its upper surface and a track member pivotally mounted on said beam to swing in said recess, means upon which said beam is mounted for movement, said beam being movable laterally with respect to the table section, said track member serving to support the table section during the lateral movement, and s. power driven member coacting with said beam to cause the lateral movement thereof, and means carried by said movable structure upon which the entire screen is draped, said last named means and said movable structure forming,r a rigid and unitary screen support.

18. A support for the table section oi a Four drinier machine including a movable structure having a beam adapted to support a, portion of the table section, said beam being,7 provided a recess in its upper surface and a track member pivotally mounted on said beam to swing in said recess, means upon which said beam is mounted for movement, said beam being movable laterally with respect to the table section, said tracit mem ber serving to support the table section during the lateral movement, a power driven member coacting with the underside of said beam to cause lateral movement thereof, and bearing means associated with said driven member and spaced closely adjacent thereto for engaging the underside of said beam to control the frictional engagement between the underside of said beam and said driven member, and means carried by said movable structure upon which the entire screen is draped, said last named means and said movable structure forming a rigid and unitary screen support.

19. A support for the table section of a Fourdrinier machine including a movable structure having a beam adapted to support a portion of the table section, said beam being provided with a recess in its upper surface and a track member pivotally mounted on said beam to swing in said recess, means upon which said beam is mounted for movement, said beam being movable side, and a unitary laterally movable rigid suplaterally with respect to the table section, said table section having a direct bearing on said beam and said track to support said section during lateral movement of said structure, said track member being adapted to be swung out of said recess when said structure is in its fully extended lateral position whereby the lower run of a f orming wire may be placed in said recess, means on said structure to support the upper run of said wire, said last named means and said structure comprising a rigid wire supporting structure to carry the 1e'lire during the Wire replacement process.

2b. A variable pitch Fourdrinier machine having an endless wire forming screen and a structure normally enclosed within the wire loop', inclucling a breast roll, table section, and a couch roli, e, pivotal support at one end of the structure. and additional laterally movable means normslly positioned beneath the structure for supporting the structure at one angle ci pitch, said means being also operative for applying a screen around said structure, said means including a longitudinally and transversely rigid unitary wire support over which the entire loop is draped, said pivotal support having a removable pedestal between the pivot point and the foundation of the machine, said pedestal being removable when the structure is supported on said laterally movable means, whereby said screen may be moved laterally with said means when said pedestal is removed to enclose the structure within the loop.

2l. A Fourdrinier machine having a structure enclosed within an endless wire loop including a breast roll, table rolls, and means upon which said rolls and suction heads are mounted, said means including a frame extending longitudinally of the machine having a xed support on one port engaging the other side at spaced points, means carried by said movable support for carrying both the upper and lower runs of said endiess wire loop whereby said loop may be replaced by moving said wire laterally with respect to said structure.

HARRY H. HART. 

